DESIGN STANDARDS for URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE 23 PLANT SPECIES for URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS

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DESIGN STANDARDS for URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE 23 PLANT SPECIES for URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS DESIGN STANDARDS for URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE 23 PLANT SPECIES FOR URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure 23 PLANT SPECIES FOR URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS 23 PLANT SPECIES FOR URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS 1 23.1 Introduction 23-2 23.2 Related codes of practice and guidelines 23-2 23.2.1 Legislation 23-2 23.3 Additions to the plant list 23-2 23.4 Trees and shrubs 23-3 23.4.1 Definitions 23-3 23.4.2 Additional design clearances required 23-10 23.4.3 Special plants 23-11 23.4.4 Native trees higher than 15 metres 23-12 23.4.5 Native trees 10 to 15 metres high 23-15 23.4.6 Native trees less than 10 metres high 23-16 23.4.7 Introduced trees higher than 15 metres 23-17 23.4.8 Introduced trees 10 to 15 metres high 23-19 23.4.9 Introduced trees less than 10 metres high 23-21 23.4.10 Conifer trees 23-24 23.4.11 List of special plants: trees 23-26 23.4.12 Native shrubs higher than 4 metres 23-31 23.4.13 Native shrubs 2 to 4 metres high 23-33 23.4.14 Native shrubs 1 to 2 metres 23-37 23.4.15 Native shrubs less than 1 metre high 23-39 23.4.16 Introduced shrubs higher than 4 metres 23-40 23.4.17 Introduced shrubs 2 to 4 metres high 23-41 23.4.18 Introduced shrubs 1 to 2 metres high 23-43 23.4.19 Introduced shrubs less than 1 metre high 23-44 23.4.20 List of special plants: shrubs 23-45 23.4.21 Native ground covers 23-50 23.4.22 Introduced ground covers 23-51 23.4.23 List of special plants: ground covers 23-52 23.4.24 Native climbers 23-54 23.4.25 Introduced climbers 23-55 23.5 Grasses 23-56 23.5.1 Definitions 23-56 23.5.2 List of special plants: native grasses 23-56 23.5.3 List of special plants: introduced grasses 23-60 23.6 Water plants 23-61 23.6.1 Edge zone plants 23-61 23.6.2 Margin zone plants 23-63 23.6.3 Water zone plants 23-65 23 Plant Species for Urban Landscape Projects EDITION 1 REVISION 0 Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure 23.7 Deleted plants list 23-66 23.8 Name changes from previous list 23-69 23.9 Pest plants in the ACT 23-71 23.10 Further reading 23-72 23.11 Index 23-73 23 Plant Species for Urban Landscape Projects EDITION 1 REVISION 0 Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure 23.1 Introduction The purpose of this design standard is to provide a list of plant species (terrestrial and aquatic), that are suitable for use in public landscapes in Canberra. It has been developed specifically for use in public land managed by Canberra Urban Parks and Places. Information contained in this plant list relating to size and use of plant material has been generalised and is indicative of the typical growth patterns and potential of the species in Canberra. The size and growth patterns of individual specimens is likely to vary, depending on the site and conditions where it is growing. The designer must be assured of the suitability of the selected plant for the proposed use and location. When used in conjunction with a brief, the plant list is to be treated as part of the brief. If particular circumstances arise where plants are required that are not on this list, then the matter should be discussed with the Landscape Development Officer in Canberra Urban Parks and Places (CUPP). Information including that described in section 23.2, is to be provided to support the request to use other plants. 23.2 Related codes of practice and guidelines 23.2.1 Legislation Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 (ACT) Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulations 2001 (ACT) 23.3 Additions to the plant list Plants proposed for addition to the plant list must be suitable for use in public places in Canberra. Details of sites where the species has been grown successfully, either in Canberra or other locations with similar growing conditions, may help to facilitate acceptance while species with weed potential or poisonous parts are unlikely to be accepted for inclusion on the list. New varieties and cultivars may be proposed for approval for use in particular sites following the completion of a written assessment (see below) and where ongoing observation of their performance may lead to their subsequent acceptance for the plant list. The observation and subsequent assessment of the plants performance will be monitored every three years by the appropriate officers from Urban Services and CUPP. The results of the this process will be reported in a reasonable timeframe (one month). If the written assessment provides examples of the plants success in conditions and climate similar to that of Canberra, the species will be introduced into the list without going through the procedure of the trial period. Urban Services do however, have the obligation to refuse proposed additions if the plants history deems its exclusion. Suggestions for additions to the plant list can be made by submitting the following information to the Landscape Development Officer, Canberra Urban Parks and Places, for review. • Botanical name • Common name • Plant type (tree, shrub, ground cover, grass, climber, aquatic) • Typical height and width in Canberra 23 Plant Species for Urban Landscape Projects 23-2 EDITION 1 REVISION 0 Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure • Description (shape, growth habit, foliage, flowers, fruit, nuts, bark) • Environment required and tolerance (drainage, wind, frost, drought, sun, shade) • Maintenance requirements (pruning, irrigation, common pests or diseases) • Landscape uses/advantages • Limitations (for example, not suitable for planting in paved areas) • What features would make you choose this plant instead of other plants already on the plant list? • Does the plant have prickles? • Does the plant have messy fruit? • Does the plant sucker? • Does the plant have invasive roots? • Does the plant have a propensity to drop branches? • Are any parts of the plant poisonous? • Is the plant related to a species on the ACT weeds list? If so, what characteristics of this plant make it less likely to be a potential weed? • Examples of specimens located in Canberra or in other areas. Photographs of the plant would also be helpful. 23.4 Trees and shrubs 23.4.1 Definitions Native plants: Plant species which were growing naturally in Australia before European settlement. The term indigenous is used to refer to plants of a specific region or site within the continent when a comparison is made with other regions or sites. In this list ‘local species’ is used to describe indigenous plants of the ACT region. Introduced plants: Plant species which have origins outside the land mass of Australia. Botanical name: Recognised scientific name used for the current genus, species, subspecies and cultivar (abbreviation CV, that is, cultivated plant variety) names. The previous name of a plant may be included below the botanical name in brackets. Code: A standardised code or abbreviation for each plant to be used on planting plans (for example Aml = Acacia melanoxylon). The letters representing genus name are in upper case (capitals), those letters representing species name and/or cultivar name are in lower case. Height x width: Average mature height and width (in metres) under usual conditions in the ACT. Invasive/invasiveness: Inherent seeding or clonal reproduction potential of certain plant species that threatens natural environments. Not suitable for: Past experience with landscape works on public lands has led to recommendations of plants which are not suitable for particular types of sites or purposes. 23 Plant Species for Urban Landscape Projects 23-3 EDITION 1 REVISION 0 Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure • Car parks – plant species have characteristics which are undesirable, for example, a light canopy which provides insufficient summer shade, vigorous root system, leaf/fruit drop which increases maintenance cost or which creates a nuisance. • Creeks, watercourses – includes semi and permanent water courses, both natural and constructed. Usually natural areas with low maintenance in which certain plants are invasive. Restrictions are on indicated species with undesirable characteristics, for example, vigorous root systems, invasiveness or increased maintenance costs. All specified plants are restricted unless written approval is obtained from Canberra Urban Parks and Places. • Dry sites – sites where soil moisture is almost always below the water holding capacity of the soil. • Exposed sites – sites always subjected to the prevailing winds, full sun and/or often characterised by steep gradients and shallow soils. • Large plantings – plant species which have not performed sufficiently well in the past (for example, pest attack) to warrant mass plantings. Such plants are better used in low numbers in mixed plantings. • Natural areas including semi-natural open space and native grassland sites – sites of native plant and animal communities (for example, Canberra Nature Park) where plant invasion of otherwise horticulturally useful species is to be avoided. Designated plants listed, should not be planted adjacent to or within these areas. – plants that have seeds spread by birds should have a clearance zone of 500 metres. – plants that have airborne seeds should have a clearance of 100 metres. – plants that are prone to suckering should have a clearance of 50 metres • Paved areas – hard surface areas where planting of designated plants increases maintenance costs significantly (for example, vigorous root systems, fruit or foliage drop, resins, pruning requirements and pest control) and where plants perform poorly. • Playing fields – irrigated and dryland grassed areas where tree root invasion will increase maintenance costs.
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